WASHINGTON -- First-year San Diego manager Craig Stammen was ejected in the bottom of the seventh inning on Saturday at Nationals Park after an unsuccessful replay challenge.
Stammen challenged a safe call at second base -- one that led to the Washington Nationals tying the game. Fernando Tatis Jr. threw to second after fielding a no-out bases-loaded ground ball, his throw easily beating Dylan Crews, but Xander Bogaerts did not appear to touch the bag after receiving the ball. Crews was called safe on the field. Replay review upheld the safe call.
Stammen emerged from the dugout after the failed challenge, walked onto the field and gestured for an umpire to come over. About midway through their conversation, the congenial Stammen was ejected for the first time in his career -- both managerial and playing. Bench coach Randy Knorr took Stammen’s place.
Major League Baseball's rulebook states that "Once replay review is initiated, on-field personnel from either club who further argue the contested calls or the decision of the replay official shall be ejected. No protest shall ever be permitted on judgment decisions by the replay official."
Stammen’s ejection was part of a dismal seventh inning for the Padres. They entered the inning with a 3-1 lead and starting pitcher Michael King cruising. King was pulled after he hit Crews to load the bases with no one out. Bradgley Rodriguez relieved King. The safe call at second scored the tying run and Rodriguez walked the next batter to put the Padres behind, 4-3. A single up the middle scored two more runs, vaulting Washington in front, 6-3.
The Padres were then unable to turn a double-play off the bat Daylen Lile. That brought in yet another run, suddenly putting the Padres behind, 7-3, in a game they had command of half an inning earlier.